Some may argue that being surrounded by massive mounds of homework is the college student's biggest challenge. Others believe walks of shame or all-day hangovers are the largest mountains to climb. We can all easily agree, though, that nothing tops the devastation that follows peering into an empty wallet.
A college student's limited budget is no new or unheard of concept. Making the leap from being almost completely dependent on your parents in high school to living on your own and likely financing all of your payments and endeavors is much easier said than done.
Being frugal and pinching pennies aren't solutions that end after college graduation. Almost everyone will find themselves cutting back on spending at some point of their life. What's worth splurging and spending those few dollars on is the challenge.
Aside from purchasing the obvious necessities, from utilities to toothbrushes, where to go from there is up for debate. And though some say that money doesn't buy happiness, we aren't all afraid to admit that that's not completely true.
After a breakup, nothing does better healing than retail therapy or throwing every container of Ben and Jerry's into your shopping cart. Though material goods provide momentary joy that everyone deserves every now and then, nothing gives you the most for your money more than experiences do.
Instead of pooling up our money and spending it on fancy dinners and overpriced souvenirs, my friends and I put our funds toward kayaking with dolphins and gas to get us to a beautiful beach while we packed bagged lunches and cheap beer. Why spend an arm and a leg on a salad in a crowded, loud restaurant when we could spend half that amount on ingredients, and not only make a home cooked meal, but also have great laughs and conversation?
With that logic comes the question of what experiences are worth dropping the cash for. I'm in no way encouraging spending hundreds of bills on weekly sporting events, nonstop gas-draining road trips and unnecessary excursions. It's a matter of deciding what things will add valuable memories to your life, and what things will leave you thinking, “Well, I could've bought five pizzas with that money."
If it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, without question go for it. If your favorite band is playing in your city, or your friends invite you to bar hop with them on St. Patrick's Day in Chicago, take advantage of those moments that you can't recreate. These things may leave your wallet a little lighter than before, but no 90-year-old looks back on their life and counts all the pennies they saved and the opportunities they passed up.
Embrace the poor college moments of cheap ramen noodle dinners and drinking nothing but Burnett's and off-brand Coca Cola. Spend your money on things that will give you pictures to hang up, not fancy frames to hang them in. Life is about nothing more than taking advantage of opportunities that help you make the most of it. Go buy some joy.
